ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Monday cautioned the government to refrain from bringing the Defence Housing Authority bill in the National Assembly, which would give sweeping powers to the DHA.

“Don’t force me to disclose the names of those generals who have Rs1 billion account,” he said while speaking in the National Assembly on a point of order. In his 35-minute speech, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also asked the prime minister to give up the project of additional Parliament Lodges and questioned the purpose of President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to the United States.

He also criticised the government for the treatment meted out to Nabeel Gabol after his resignation as minister of state and putting his name on the exit control list.

On the issue of legislation on the Defence Housing Authority, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said if the bill came in this house then he would bring those people whose lands were forcibly occupied. “We have no objections to providing land for the martyrs and soldiers who defended the country but we would not allow forcible taking over of land in the name of DHA,” he said.

On Karachi, he said the situation in the largest city of the country has worsened and innocent people are being killed there. “Karachi is bleeding while the rulers are only issuing statements every day”.

He said the House should be apprised of the real situation in Karachi. “The chief minister, home minister Sindh and the federal interior minister have expressed their ignorance about the ongoing operation in Karachi,” he said.

“The prime minister should ask the missing interior minister to come and brief the House on the Karachi situation,” he said. Turning to Nabeel Gabol’s episode, Ch Nisar said the opposition has nothing to do with what was going on internally in the PPP, but a member of this House should not be treated like this. He said prior to this incident, PPP legislator Sherry Rehman also got the rough treatment from the PPP.

He said after Nabeel Gabol resigned his name was put on the ECL and his house was raided. “There is no monarchy in Pakistan and the law of the land is not submissive to anyone,” he added.

He also demanded that the House and the nation should be apprised about the agenda discussed during the meeting of President Asif Ali Zardari with US President Barack Obama. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said keeping in view the worsening economic situation the project of Parliament Lodges should be put on hold.

Earlier, PML-Q parliamentary leader Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat expressed concern over the statement of Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh in which he stated that some interest groups bribed the politicians to oppose the reform agenda. The finance Minister has stated that some elements used the parliamentarians and members of the finance committee of Parliament to lower the tax rate.

He said he is a member of the finance committee and he has opposed the RGST and will continue to oppose it. “There are many other members from both sides of the isle who oppose RGST and whether all of them have been bribed,’ he asked.

He said the finance minister should seek apology from both houses of Parliament. “This statement has breached the privilege of the whole House so either he seek apology from the House or we will bring the privilege motion,” he said.